INFANTICIPATING?

Well, I thought I might be, but my second pregnancy test after 3 weeks’ delay in my monthly period said otherwise. Negative! Attending the Infanticipating book launch would have been timely and a perfect way to start or end this blog haha. Or could it be that I don’t know that I’m pregnant and I’ll give birth in our toilet? Haha. I’ve seen too many episodes of that show. Hope it doesn’t happen to me.

Anyway, it was my first time to attend a book launch last Tuesday, Sept 27, and you would think I would go by myself, since it was held in the Powerplant Mall in Rockwell. But true to Lucero fashion, my husband and two kids were with me. It was fun since i got to go to the event with my friend Anna Moran, King got to hang with Anna’s hubby JA, and my girls got to play with their friend Andi.

I did not know what to expect from such an event. After registration, I was given a press kit. I only know it’s called that because my friend Ana del Castillo, who invited me to the event, told me the previous night that she was preparing them. The area that they occupied was small, but it was lined all around with beautiful mommy and mommy & baby pictures done by The Stork Studio. The little stork plush toy giveaway immediately went to my girls, of course. There were Medela and other baby products on display on one side of the area, and on the opposite side Stemcord Philippines, Inc‘s booth. There was a nice buffet spread, and we were seated in a round table right in front of the stage. To my surprise, hosting it was my cousin’s sister-in-law, Jamie Fournier.

Honestly, I had no clue who the author Rome Kanapi was either before the event. Jamie mentioned that Ms Rome, of the Philippine Association for Childbirth Education (P.A.C.E.), has been teaching child birth classes for 30 years. I was impressed, but I was never really interested in attending such classes because I knew I would take all the medication (epidural is my friend!) available for me for an easier delivery! I didn’t realize that she is pretty known even among my friends. Anna wanted to take her class, and another friend, Macy Mumar, did. I liked how natural Ms Rome was on stage and how she engaged those listening to her. She seemed very warm and kind. I appreciated what she said about why she came up with her booklet, which is to help mothers and to share and make available to all what she has been teaching for the past 30 years. Infanticipating is actually free, available in OB-GYN clinics for all moms and moms-to-be to pick up and take home. I also loved the advise she gave that pregnant women should be aware of their own body, be educated about their pregnancy, and not just rely on what the doctor says. I totally agree. Maybe I could try her class out. I’ve given birth normally and via C-section. I wonder what kind of birth story will unfold for the last one. 🙂

By the end of the program, they gave us a copy of the booklet! Of course, oblivious me did not even think of going up to Ms Rome and having it signed, until Anna said so. I’m glad we did. She was every bit as warm and approachable as she seemed. Her written message to me was quite apt too. She wrote, “Hope this can be useful for the next baby!” I told her that I was actually delayed and was planning to take a test the next day. She got excited and told me to text her. Well, like I said, it was negative. I haven’t texted her yet, because I still don’t have my period. (dan-dan-dan!!!!!)

Mommy Mundo, the brilliant minds behind Expo Mom and Expo Kids (which I wish I was able to attend hehe), published Infanticipating. GlaxoSmithKline, leading health care company and one of their partners, gave us awesome freebies. Although I wish someone talked about Stemcord and cord blood banking on stage, there’s good information about it in the booklet itself, as well as what one of the speakers spoke about the importance of vaccinations in adults, especially in women planning to get pregnant.

Infanticipating is a pretty detailed booklet. It has practically all the information you’d want to know while pregnant, when getting ready for labor & giving birth, and when you already have your newborn. I do suggest coupling it with another booklet that would tell you what is going on with the baby in your womb every month, ‘coz I know I was extremely interested in that when I was pregnant. My favorite feature of the booklet is its journal. Pregnant moms can jot down how they feel, what they’re going through monthly. There are even questions to help them on what to write, and short words of encouragement at the bottom of each journal page. I believe in creating and writing this booklet, Ms Rome Kanapi will accomplish her dream to share her joy in carrying, giving birth to, and caring for a child, and to help Filipina moms enjoy this wonderful season in their lives. 🙂